Ensuring A Free Press

AS journalists and media persons celebrated World Press Freedom Day Wednesday, experts pointed out the challenges still being faced by the Nepalese media sector and sought measures to fully ensure and institutionalise press freedom and the freedom of expression. After the political change last year, the Nepalese press has definitely heaved a sigh of relief. During the king's authoritarian regime, the press came under direct attack because Nepalese journalists and media persons were on the forefront struggling for democracy and freedom. After the success of the Jana Andolan, the press has been free, in principle. There is no pressure and attack from the state. However, the press is not fully secure and free as newer kinds of threats are merging. The attack, threat and intimidation against the press and the media persons continue to exist. But this is not from the state but from the non-state sector. During the agitation in the Terai, Nepalese journalists came under heavy attack and threats were issued by the organisers of the agitation. As a result, some journalists had to flee from their original places or to quit their job. This is a testimony that the press is still not fully secure and safe.

Media persons are the messengers. When the messengers are not safe and secure, the job of carrying the messages to the target group cannot be accomplished. Thus, the process of informing and educating the people is obstructed. Freedom of press is a hallmark of a democratic and open society. A democratic system of governance cannot be vibrant in the absence of a free press, while meaningful and effective press freedom cannot exist without democracy and open society. Thus, democracy and free press are, in a way, synonymous. In a democracy, people's right to information must be safeguarded and realised. A free, vibrant and functioning media alone can ensure the right to information of the people. The right to information has been taken as one of the fundamental rights of the people. People have the right to know about government affairs. Only informed citizens can make the right decision in every sphere of the society. Thus, people must be informed about the acts and decision of the government. This is the spirit and essence of democracy. Although there is no threat from the government against the press, the government is yet to make legal and other frameworks for press freedom and guarantee access to information. Despite demands from the journalists, the law regarding right to information has not been enacted. It is the need of the hour, which alone will guarantee people's easy access to information.

Source: The Rising Nepal, May 4, 2007